Sacrifice & Remembrance (War)

The First World War called forth immense sacrifice from communities across Essex County. In the early years, patriotic posters and spirited rallies urged young men to enlist, while propaganda campaigns promoted the sale of war bonds. At first, enlistment was voluntary, but as the casualty lists grew, Prime Minister Robert Borden introduced conscription in 1917.

The war touched every farm and household. Food shortages brought hoarding and rationing, while horses—vital for local agriculture—were requisitioned in large numbers and shipped overseas. On the battlefields of Ypres, the Somme, and Vimy Ridge, to name just a few, Essex County endured terrible losses. Nine men from Harrow and Colchester South are remembered on the plaques that stand before the Legion Hall and in Veterans Memorial Park.

A generation later, the Second World War demanded another heavy toll. Sixteen men from Harrow and Colchester South never returned home. Today, remembrance endures at the Legion Hall and Veterans Memorial Park in Harrow. The names inscribed on these memorials remind us that our region’s sacrifices were deeply felt, and that the price of war was carried by every family, field, and farm.

In the autumn of 2025, Harrow Legion Branch 338 initiated the Veteran Banner Project to commemorate veterans of Harrow and Colchester South. The banners were displayed on light posts and lined downtown Harrow streets. Each year, the banners will be displayed for Remembrance Day.

War of 1812 Materials Located at H.E.I.R.S.
Books:
•    Amherstburg Volumes 1&2, 971.331 Amh
•    Askin Papers Volumes 1&2, 973.2 Ask
•    At The End of the Trail, 971.331 Bot 
•    The Astonishing General the Life & Legacy of Sir Isaac Brock 971.03 Tur
•    Best of Times, 070.332 Tim
•    Border Crossings: The Detroit River Region in the War of 1812 977.434 DHS
•    Butler’s Rangers, 971.71338 Cru
•    Canada, 971 Lea
•    Canadian Battlefields, 808.1 Can Wil
•    Counties & Townships of Michigan, 929.709 Wil
•    Deep Roots a History of Grosse Ile Michigan, 977.43 Swa
•    Encyclopedia of the War of 1812, 973.5 Hei
•    Essex County Sketches, 971.331 Ess
•    The Freedom Seekers, 971 Hil
•    Frontier Metropolis, 977.434 Dun
•    Garden Gateway to Canada, 971.331 Mor
•    Grist For the Mill, 725.471 Col
•    Grosse Ile, 977.43 Gro
•    Harrow and Colchester South 1792-1992, 971.331 Har
•    Historical Maps of Canada, 911.71 Swi
•    HMS Detroit: The Battle for Lake Erie, 973.5 Mal
•    The History of the Township of Sandwich South, 971.331 Volumes 1&2 SanS
•    An Index of Land Claim Certificates of Upper Canada Militiamen, 929.3713 Lau
•    Index to Walkerville Times Newspaper, 011.331 Wal (also have a Disc)
•    In The Midst of Alarms: The Untold Story of Women and the War of 1812, 971.034 Gra
•    Invasions, 356.113 Ant
•    Journal of Erie Studies Battle of Lake Erie, 971.034 EHS
•    Maidstone Township, 971.331 Mai Bur
•    Matthew Elliott British Indian Agent, 971.331 Ell Hor
•    Ohio: Crossroads of Our Nation, 974.771 OGS
•    Ohio Local History, 974.771 Ohi Wei
•    Ohio Towns & Counties, 971.771 Ohi
•    Old Forts of the Great Lakes, 623 Bar
•    Ontario and the Detroit Frontier 1701-1814, 971.331 Cow
•    Pelee Island Then & Now, 971.331 Pel  Hoo
•    Procter’s War of 1812, 973.523 Ant
•    The Romance of Ontario, 971.3 Mid
•    Romantic Kent, 971.333 Lau
•    St. John’s church Sandwich, 283.71331 Wes
•    The Shaping of Ontario from Exploration to Confederation TALLBOOK, 971.713 Mik
•    Simon Girty, 977.01 Hof
•    Sketch of the Western District, 971.13 McC
•    Soldier of the King, 971.034 Gra
•    Souvenirs of the Past, 971.332 Ful
•    A Study of Disaffection in Upper Canada 1812 – 5, 971.03 Cru
•    Taken and Destroyed: The War of 1812 Losses Claims, 973.5 Sto
•    The Black Presence in the War of 1812 “Canada’s Unsung Military Volunteers” 971.034 Har
•    The Talbot Regime, 971.13 Erm
•    Tecumseh, 977.004 Sug
•    Tecumseh and Brock: The War of 1812, 971.034 Lax
•    Textual Evidence of the Life of Simon Girty, 977.01 Goo
•    Tomahawks & Treaties 974.771 Cal
•    The Township of Sandwich, 971.331 San  Nea
•    Uppermost Canada, 971.332 Dou
•    The Valley of the Lower Thames, 971.331 Ham
•    Walpole Island, 971.327 Nin
•    War Drums Along the River, 971.034 Whi
•    War and Society on the Detroit River, 971.03 War Cou
•    The War with the United States, 971.03 Woo
•    Western District, 971.33102 Pry
•    The Windsor Border Region, 971.331 Laj
•    With The Tide, 971.331 Mar
Maps:
Amherstburg:
001, 002, 003, 004, 006 (a & b)
Colchester:
003 (a), 004, 005, 010, 016
Colchester South:
001
Detroit:
001, 002, 003, 004, 005
Essex County:
001, 003, 006, 010, 012, 016, 017
Gosfield:
001
Great Lakes:
002, 003, 004, 005

Kent:
001
Maidstone:
002 (a & b)
Malden:
001

Ontario:            U.S.A.:
001, 002, 004, 008, 020     001, 003, 004